Blues set new low as difficult question emerges for ‘let down’ star Jacob Weitering

Carlton have endured their worst first half of the season as the pressure rises even further on senior coach Michael Voss.

Taking the field just five days after a shock loss to North Melbourne, the Blues were rinsed by Port Adelaide in every facet of the game in the first half on Thursday night.

Port kicked out to a 47-point lead midway through the second term and it would’ve been more if not for some wayward kicking.

Making matters worse for Carlton was the injury struggle felt by All Australian defender Jacob Weitering.

Weitering suffered an ankle problem against the Kangaroos and pointed to the issue in the pre-game.

When the match was underway he was beaten by Mitch Georgiades to the point of being switched out for Jack Silvagni, while at one point he was also easily shoved aside by Kane Farrell.

As early as quarter-time Jimmy Bartel questioned whether “it would be worth considering” subbing out Weitering.

“He can barely move. I feel for the guy,” he said on 3AW.

“He is trying to do his best, but his body is just letting him down.”

Kane Cornes noticed the same issue when things failed to get any better for Weitering in the second quarter.

“It’s a big story brewing with Weitering as well. He just doesn’t look right,” he said.

But the defender was not at all the sole reason for the Blues’ woes.

As the second half went on Carlton struggled even more to get the ball beyond halfway — and Voss even dropped Alex Cincotta’s tag on Zak Butters.

“This is a complete smacking and domination at the moment,” Brian Taylor said.

Cornes added: “It’s a big story, there’s no doubt about this. This is a capitulation of the highest order from what we thought was going to be a contender.”

Hamish McLachlan said there were “red lights everywhere” for Carlton coaches.

“Every time there is a 50-50 ball seemingly Port jumpers just emerge,” he said.

Nick Riewoldt assessed there is “just no connection” from kicker to anyone in front of the ball.

Georgiades reached four goals before half-time to push Port’s lead out beyond 50 points.

“This is pretty embarrassing stuff for the Blues,” McLachlan said.

But there was finally reason to celebrate when Lewis Young kicked their first goal with just under two minutes left on the clock.

Port led 8.10 (58) to 1.6 (12) at the main break, with the Blues’ total their lowest first-half score since May 2023.

Weitering was then at the centre of a push and shove between players on half-time.

Cincotta and Butters also came together before the teams separated themselves.

“There’s been a few spot fires,” Carlton’s George Hewett told Channel 7.

“Hopefully next half we just worry about winning the footy in the contest. Hopefully we get back on track in the second half.

“(The response to last week has) been disappointing but we’ve got a half to try to claw back this game and win it.”

Meanwhile, Adam Saad was groggy after copping head-high blow late in the second quarter.

He was substituted out for debutant Flynn Young.